Developmental Biology
The development of a complex, multicellular organism from a single-celled fertilized egg is a miraculous transformation that has been the subject of intense study for over a hundred years. The Developmental Biology research group consists of a diverse group of interactive faculty investigating a wide variety of development processes. We use several well-studied experimental organisms including invertebrates such as the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, vertebrates such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mouse (Mus musculus), and plants Populus and Arabipdosis, as well as the bacteria Myxococcus xanthus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Specific aspects of development that are being studied include the role of chromatin remodeling in maintaining cell fate decisions (Dorus, Hall, MacDonald, Maine, Raina), signal transduction mechanisms that control germline development (Belote, Dorus, Maine, Pepling), development and aging of the vertebrate nervous system (Lewis, MacDonald), plant cell wall development and reproductive timing (Coleman, Raina), and formation of bacterial biofilms (Garza, Welch).
The group uses a wide range of approaches—including imaging, genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics—to address important questions in the field. Members of the our group interact with researchers from neighboring campuses in Syracuse that have a shared interest in developmental biology through monthly meetings of the Developmental Biology Interest Group (DBIG).
Biology faculty members affiliated with Developmental Biology
John Belote
Emeritus Professor
Email: jbelote@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.3695
Heather D. Coleman
Associate Professor
Email: hcoleman@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.0453
Steve Dorus
Professor
Email: sdorus@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.7091
Anthony Garza
Professor Emeritus
Email: agarza@syr.edu
Sarah E. Hall
Associate Professor
Email: shall@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.2964
Heidi Hehnly
Renée Crown Professor in the Sciences and Mathematics and Associate Professor
Email: hhehnly@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.2159
Katharine (Kate) Lewis
Professor
Email: kelewi02@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.5902
Jessica MacDonald
Associate Professor
Email: jemacdon@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.5837
Eleanor Maine
Professor Emerita
Email: emmaine@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.9169
Melissa E. Pepling
Professor and Chair
Email: mepeplin@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.4541
Ramesh Raina
Professor
Email: raraina@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.4546
Roy D. Welch
Professor
Email: rowelch@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.7197
Michele G. Wheatly
Professor of Biology, Former Provost
Email: mwheatly@syr.edu
Phone: 315.443.6123